Haredi Vacation in Germany ?

Source: Be'Chadrei HaCharedim

B"H


Who would think of traveling to Germany on a vacation trip ? The Jewish religious world has lost so countless Jews in the Shoah and now Germany should be a new spa for Haredim ? 

There have been advertisements by a certain group of Haredim offering hotel deals in Berlin, Leipzig or Dresden. This has risen a controversy on haredi forums and the question is raised how a German hotel could be kosher le’Mehadrin ? 

So, lets say the Haredim travel to Germany in order to stay in a kosher hotel. Although I have my doubts whether the hotels are really kosher, as there is only CHALAV NOCHRI in the area. 

Are those Haredim able to leave the hotels and just walk around ? Leipzig and Dresden are full of Neonazis and Berlin is full of Muslims. Various religious Jews walking around downtown Berlin have already been attacked in the past. Let alone all those dangers waiting, how can any haredi Jew enjoy a German hotel knowing about the past of the country ? 

Just the opposite with Chassidut ERLOI (Jerusalem). The Erloier Rebbe has recently put a ban (Cherem) in German products.

Source: Be'Chadrei HaCharedim

I was born and raised in Germany myself and relatives of mine still live there. My brother always tells me how the country has changed and slowly turns into a Muslim majority due to thousands of Germans converting to fundamentalist Islam. I hope that those Haredim going on the trip will arrange a few bodyguards. Otherwise, don’t even think about leaving the hotel wearing a Streimel !

German anti - Semitism in Hebron

B"H

German diplomats visiting Hebron but ignoring Jews:

http://www.israelnationalnews.com/Blogs/Message.aspx/4935#.T1-xI112rZI

Why don't stay such German anti - Semitic diplomats in Germany where they belong to ? The group reminds me of a few SS men walking around in Hebron. Now we know where anti - Semitism comes from and Angela Merkel's point of view.

Chassidim in the Holocaust and Germany's Media Reports

B"H 

This Friday, 27th January, the world is going to commemorate those millions of Jews who were killed by the Nazis during the Third Reich. On the one hand, Germany's media has been reporting against Faschism, Hitler, "Wannsee - Conference" and anything connected to the crimes carried out between 1933 - 1945. But, on the other hand, Germany's entire press still hates religious Jews and writes about them just like the anti - Semitic magazine "Der Stürmer". Only a left - wing Jew is a good Jew, this is how the German media thinks until today.

Chassidim during the Holocaust

Germans in haredi Society

Seen in Jerusalem

Photo: Miriam Woelke

B”H 

Hatred towards Haredim got much worse due to the anti - haredi media reports from Israel: The vast majority of today's German population doesn't know any Jew. Not personally but from TV reports. There aren't any Haredim in the country except for Chabad (Lubavitch) and a couple of Litvaks. Do Germans see or know any Haredim in their country ? No. Even German Jewry hardly knows any Haredim beyond some Chabadnikim walking around but many of them think that this is haredi society. Whoever wants to learn about the real haredi society has to move to New York, New Jersey, London, Manchester, to Zurich or Vienna oder simply to Israel. And in those places, it is not enough to walk through haredi neighbourhoods (Example: Golders Green in London) but one has actually to become part of haredi society. 

For almost two years I went to a litvishe Yeshiva. The correct Hebrew expression would be “Michlalah”. I had already left the Yeshiva and, due to very personal reasons, distanced myself a bit from haredi society, when I got to know a young German woman living in Jerusalem. It happened, more or less, by accident that I met her. Although many of you will now tell me that there is nothing like "by accident" in this world, as everything is "Hashgacha Pratit". However, the young woman was German and had converted to Judaism. In Germany and not in Israel. 

After her conversion she moved to Israel and started studying in a certain women's Yeshiva in order to learn more about Judaism. I don't want to mention the name of the institute but I can say that it was Litvish. I myself went there for a few days but decided that it wasn't for me. Not the mentality and my desire was getting into higher Jewish studies such as Gemara. That particular Yeshiva didn't offer any talmudic studies and eventually I ended up in a different institute but also run by Litvaks. 

Israel's haredi world doesn't only consist of ultra - Orthodox Jews being born in the country. On the contratry, as many Haredim have moved to Israel from abroad. Many have officially made Aliyah with "Nefesh be’Nefesh”. Haredim from the United States, Canada (especially from Toronto), South Africa, Britain or Australia. Generally speaking, there is a difference between those Haredim being born and raised in Israel and those coming from the Diaspora. Some may get the idea that Diaspora Jews moving to Israel are more modern and haredi "light". Even Israeli Haredim consider Diaspora Haredim not as strict and traditional as them. Example: The Israeli girl's school Beit Yaakov differs a lot from those in London or New York. 

The differences between those two haredi groups also influence the Shidduch business, as you can surely imagine and, many times, it is an issue. On the other hand, I have faced plenty of situations where Diaspora Haredim where less tolerant than their Israeli counterparts. Not to forget mentioning the difference between "born Haredim" and the "newly religious Ba'alei Teshuva". But I am going to write about those conflicts later on. 

Coming back to the young woman: I was quite amazed when I realized that she had turned into an American copy. Usually Jews moving to Israel turn into Israelis. At least those who make an effort of being part of Israeli society including speaking Hebrew. This young woman, however, became American in Israel. Not a US citizen but her mentality, way of living and expressing herself. Of course, her Yeshiva was the main reason for the transformation. The institute offers programmes in English, Hebrew and, as far as I know, also in French and Spanish. The young woman participated in the English programme and lived with Americans in the dorm rooms. 

As life goes on, a member of haredi society needs a spouse and thus, the Shidduch process is taking place. The young woman is looking for a marriage partner and, as I assume, it should be an American Litvak living in Israel. However, as a German convert joining haredi society, it isn't that easy finding a American Haredi Shidduch. Why ? Because haredi society as a whole has neither forgiven nor forgotten the Holocaust. Meaning that the grandparents of the German convert may have voted for Hitler or somehoe interacted in with the Nazi regime. Let alone of being an SS - member. By the way, I heard that a descendant of Heinrich Himmler married an American Jew. The son on Holocaust survivors. 

The Germans have murdered several 100,000 Jews during the Holocaust and after the War was over, many Eastern European and German Jews not only moved to Palestine (Israel) but to the United States. Especially to New York. They escaped the Nazi terror and gas chambers and suddenly their grandchild is walking in with a German Shidduch ? 

Actually there are other ways of getting to know Haredim and people don't only marry because a Shadchan or Shadchanit is introducing them. Other ways may not be so accepted but they do exist. For instance: A couple may meet on a bus or at a family celebration with friends. Or may be introduced by friends. Furthermore, Haredim of Sephardi origin don't necessarily have the Holocaust history in their family although many Sephardic Jews got killed when the German General Erwin Rommel invaded the northern countries of Africa.

Anti - Semitism in Israel's and Germany's Media

B”H 

Israel's secular press just doesn't get it what kind of a new anti - Semitic wave their anti - haredi propaganda causes abroad. On the one hand, the Israeli government as well as the secular media is always upset and complaining about the rise of anti - Semitism all over the world; on the other hand, it is the Israeli press having a tremendous impact on this particular rise of anti - Semitism abroad. Just look at the present wave of hatred against Israel's haredi society. "Every Haredi is bad, a parasite and hates women !" This is the message being spread. Today it is the Haredim, tomorrow the press is running attacks against national religious settlers. Next week it will be the new Russian immigrants again who are, according to the media, all Mafiosi and the women are prostitutes. As soon as another Ethiopian immigrants kills his wife, Israel's media starts a new attack on all Ethiopian immigrants, as they are "all" primitive and criminals. 

However, what you don't find the secular media complaining about is, for instance, the 40,000 illegal Africans spreading in Tel Aviv . Our secular left - wing press considers those illegal Africans as the true future Israelis because they want to work and join the army. How sick can anyone be thinking that religious Jews are worth less than an illegal Muslim African coming to Israel because he wants to earn money and nothing else. The African has no ideology towards the State of Israel. Place him here today, and he will tell you that he loves Israel. Tomorrow, give him a plane ticket to Europe or the United States and he will claim to become a great American or European.

It is Israel's media having a great part in the rise of anti - Semitism as well as anti - Judaism worldwide. Lets look at the German left - wing magazine DER SPIEGEL. The magazine has always been anti - Semitic towards religious Jews and has been hating the guts out of them. The same with Israeli settlements and any right - wing Knesset member. Don't read what DER SPIEGEL has to say about haredi society these days and don't you ever read the German comments. I made the mistake and did read them and now I understand why Hitler had been so successful in Germany. 

The REA - ISRAEL Cult is killing Jewish Souls

Photo: Cafepress

B”H

As a matter of fact, the news is not new at all. There are Christian missionary organizations opening soup kitchens and offering any available help to Jews in Israel. Not because they are so full of "Chesed - Kindness" but with one vicious goal: Prostelyzing Jews and thus bring them to Christianity. 


Especially German or German speaking missionary organizations located in Israel try prostelyzing Holocaust survivors. In the past, Jews were killed in gas chambers. Today, Christian missionaries are trying to kill Jewish souls

How the German speaking "Rea - Israel" organization is trying to get Jews into Christian idol - worship

Details provided by Israel's anti - missionary organization YAD LE'ACHIM:

http://www.yadlachimusa.org.il/?CategoryID=192&ArticleID=757

Do not reach out for something which is not yours !

B"H

In Germany, it has been quite popular for Gentiles to present or introduce themselves as "Jewish". This kind of behaviour cannot be called a "sport" or "fun" but those non - Jewish Germans presenting themselves as Jewish are serious. At the very moment they are telling their environment that they are Jewish, they even believe it themselves.

Not only once I have witnessed it in Israel: Suddenly a German tourist claims that he may be Jewish but he has no papers. The claim is mostly a lie and mainly used by Christian missionaries. However, regarding the German false "Jews", people make the Jewish claim for two reasons:

1. They are really Christian missionaries and try convincing their environment of their false Jewish identity.

2. Having a bad concience regarding the Holocaust and in order to get rid of it, some Germans take the role of the Jewish "victim". Thus, creating a different identity and, at the same time, getting rid of the role as a "murderer".

It may sound strange to foreigners but it is extremely hard to describe German behaviour in regard to the Holocaust.

A Christian making the claim to be Jewish is not necessarily a German problem but is being used by all kinds of Christian missionaries. How many times have I met Christian tourists in Jerusalem who suddenly announced that they were actually Jewish ? They don't have any documents nor were their ancestors Jewish but they have a "feeling". 

When I hear those false claims from Germans or international Christians I am immediately thinking of a certain Talmud teaching where it says that "One should not reach out for something which isn't his". Meaning that G - d is running the world and it is Him deciding which person is reaching a special task in life. The Talmud, for instance, gives King David's son, Avshalom, as an example. Avshalom was striving for a position which was not meant to be his but the one of his father. This is why Avshalom could not be king and, in the end, died.  The same happened to Korach who rebelled against Moshe. Also here we see that Korach was not meant to be the leader of the Jews but only Moshe. Therefore Korach failed. 

It is important that we realize our own capacities and do not reach out into other fields for tasks we are not able to fulfill. A Jew is not only a Jew but, as Kabbalists and the Alter Lubavitcher Rebbe in his book TANYA stressed: "A Jew has a Jewish soul and therefore also different tasks in this world". A Jew has the task to correct this world (Tikun Olam) and his own soul (Tikun) by fulfilling Mitzvot and walking in the way of G - d. Through certain actions, a Jew can cause something in this world wheras a Gentile has totally different tasks. He cannot take over the tasks of the Jews, as he is not meant to do so unless he is converting to Judaism.

G - d created Jews and Gentiles and each of the two groups have their own tasks in life. Obviously G - d wants Jews and Gentiles, otherwise He would have only created Jews or only Gentiles. If the Christians stuck to their own tasks and weren't constantly intruding the Jewish world, we would get along much better.

The EICHMANN TRIAL on Youtube

Arrogant German Tourists in Israel

B”H

One thing I have been noticing in Tiberias and Tel Aviv for quite a while now: There are various younger German tourists who behave in an extreme arrogant way. If any of those German species has to wait or, let alone, stand in line, they easily freak. As soon as they get somewhere they want it to be their turn, no matter what. Use the Internet before them and they immediately come up to you like "For how long do you dare using the Internet ?" In other cases, they just take over without asking if the place is already occupied. 

Not only the German accent is obvious from far away but also the arrogant "Gestapo Commands !"

Germans favouring Israeli gay Singer but ignore Judaism

Gay Teddy bears

Photo: Picasa

B"H

The Israeli Embassy located in Germany is one of my friends on Facebook and what they usually do is publishing important news from Israel. Yesterday the embassy spread the news that Israel's famous gay pop singer Ivri Lider is winning an international award.

The Germans got really excited about the message on Facebook, as some philosemites love anything coming from Israel. You can be a piece of garbage but as soon as you tell these philosemites that your are from Israel, they embrace you wildly. No matter how bad you smell.:-)))

However, I criticised the Facebook message spread by the Israeli Embassy in Berlin by saying that Israel shouldn't be proud of a gay singer, as there are more important and especially normal people to be proud of.

I foresaw the reaction of the German philosemites and, of course, found lots of criticism. I am only referring to Germans here because I don't know about other countries:
Those Germans who are not pro - Palestinian identify with Israel. For several reasons but, however, there are those who are really sticking to Israel and anything Jewish like glue. Not in order to missionize Jews but to just admire them due to a psycho - like Holocaust guilt feeling.

Two Facebook reactions did surprise me:
A woman, I don't know if Jewish or not but living in Germany wrote that when I criticise gay Ivri Lider, I cannot be from Tel Aviv.

I find this statement rather stupid, as not every Tel Aviv inhabitants is naturally so terribly tolerant to embrace the gays. In fact many people from Tel Aviv don't agree with the unlimited freedom in their city at all. And, I did live in Tel Aviv.

Another comment came from a gay guy from Norway. Not Jewish and ignoring the Jewish religion totally. The worst was that he, as a homosexual, compared my anti - gay opinion to the Nazis killing gays. Actually he claimed that Jews should be more tolerant because they were killed in the camps and so were the gays.

The Norwegian comment is one of the worst statements I have had in my life. A comparison between gay "suffering" and the Jewish Holocaust. This is just outrageous but shows us how wide parts of the Gentile world ignores Judaism and those Jews sticking to it. Germans love the Jews to shut up and assimilate. Jews involved in culture and some Martin Buber but no real frum Jews. No Chabad and no Haredim at all but only assimilation.

Jerusalem Identity

B"H

I haven't been to the Kotel (Western Wall) since last Yom Kippur. 

Shame on me !

Although I am in Jerusalem all the time, I hardly find my way into the Old City. Last night, however, I found the way and was glad that I did. The Kotel solved my whole identity crisis (if there is any at all).

First of all, I had planned to go to a concert of an in Germany famous German popstar. Peter Maffay live on stage in Jerusalem in front of the municipality building. Afterwards I wanted to go down to the Old City in order to see the "Jerusalem Light Festival". I got to Safra Square at the municipality and realized that I wasn't in Jerusalem anymore, as Germans in uniform had taken over. Hostesses dressed in red and almost standing attention (German like). German bodyguards were around and everybody was so serious. Everything went like clockwork and already this causes suspicion in Jerusalem where usually nothing works. At least not on time.

The bakery where I work is the best example with the "Ejn li Koach - I am not in the Mood" mentality. German have always Koach (strength) and even if they don't, they function. An Israeli employee mostly does not function properly.

Finally, ten years after making Aliyah, I was facing my long missed German - work - Koach - clockwork mentality and suddenly it looked so terribly stupid to me. I started missing the "Ejn li Koach" bakery and even the dishes waiting for me.

German guards and hostesses guarding the square in front of the Jerusalem municipality. No, they weren't threatening us with gas chambers but wanted to see a German invitation for the concert. I didn't even bother around and went straight down to Jaffa Gate to the beginning Light Festival. There I found Jerusalem and Israel. Here they were - all those noisy Israelis with no Koach leaving their garbage anywhere and yelling around. Pushing each other but enjoying the show. No uniforms and no German invitations.

The light show all over the Old City is just incredible although the organizers could have added more attractions. Nevertheless, they probably didn't have enough Koach, so never mind.

I entered Jaffa Gate where Palestinian traders made business. The Jews bought ice - cream and juices. Don’t ask about a Hechsher (kosher certificate) because Meshiach asn't arrived yet and we still have the using our free will mentality. I went through the Arab Shuk (market) to the Kotel (Western Wall). Israeli border police soldiers were guarding the way but the Palestinian traders were rather interested in business than blowing up the passing Jews.

The Kotel was great ! 

What a difference to Safra Square German uniforms. It was just unbelievable and a total different world. Here was G - d and spirituality. Here was Jerusalem as it should be.

Well, without the Third Temple but something. 

Hundreds of Jews were praying at the Wall where the sun was just going down. A group of Sephardi Beit Yaakov girls (I am not starting another "Emmanuel and why Sephardi Beit Yaakov girls don't study together with their Ashkenazi counterpart) was praying at the Kotel. I got my spiritual moments; at least until the loud "Allah Akhbar" screams came out of the loudspeaker from the Temple Mount. Suddenly I knew where I belong: To the Kotel, to Mea Shearim, to Jerusalem, to Tel Aviv but G - d, please let me escape from the German uniforms. 

JA !

Haredi Bashing after Conversion to Judaism

B"H

Frankly speaking:

Most of the time I refuse reading German Jewish blogs. When I read most of the content of so - called "Orthodox" Jews, I feel like throwing up. The worst are those who converted to Judaism and then claim their blog as "Orthodox".

"Orthodox" ? What kind of "Orthodox ?"

Haredi bashing is quite common and people even admit to eat Chametz during Pessach.

"I went to a restaurant and think that not eating Kidniyiot is just a stupid custom and doesn't apply to me !" - this is what one German "Jewish" blogger spread.

Others convert and still stick to their Christian ideas but call themselves "Jewish Orthodox" and even make Aliyah.

There are very very few German Jewish blogs which are interesting even if they were written by Reform Jews. About German Jewish history before and during the Holocaust, for instance, or warnings against Christian missionaries as well as giving advise about where to enjoy some Jewish life in Berlin.

I just wonder what those bashy converts were telling the Rabbis at their Beit Din ?

That the Halacha is a piece of old junk and that the Haredim are lazy, don't go to the army and that most Orthodox Jews are a bunch of nuts who don't know what is going on in today's world.

I don't care what those bloggers claim but it does make me angry when other people who truly look for some Yiddishkeit read such false opinions and may believe it. Especially when halachic issues are being misinterpreted.

The German - Jewish "Hospitality"

B"H

A rather strange discussion is taking place in a German – Jewish forum. Believe it or not, in German – Jewish communities it can happen that Jews from abroad are not allowed to enter. I don't want to describe the whole discussion in the forum but instead explaining the German – Jewish Meshugasen (craziness).


Jews from abroad visiting a German synagogue shouldn't be surprised when security guards deny them the entrance.
Why ?
The German – Jewish justification is that Jews not belonging to a certain community have to call up and reserve a place. Not too much "reserve" but at least announce in advance that they are coming. If someone shows up unexpectedly, the security staff in front of the synagogue is asking you for your Jewish identification. If you don't have a reliable proof, that's it. No entrance. Who knows because you could be lying and be an undercover Neonazi or Arab terrorist.

Throughout my life, I was in countless synagogues of all kind. Satmar, Toldot Aharon, Belz, Karlin – Stolin, chassidic, litvish and national religious, but never ever have a I faced so many difficulties as in front of German synagogues. I can understand that non – Jews have to call up in advance and ask if they can come but Jews …..

A foreign Jewish visitor discovers a synagogue in Germany and wants to enter in order to join the Shabbat service and German Jews don't let him in ? According to Halacha, this is a "Chillul HaShem – a desecration of G – d's name". No doubt that there are security risks but this shouldn't be a reason denying a Jew the entrance to a synagogue. Don't we in Jerusalem have enough terrorists who are prepared to bomb anything they can get hold of ? Do we deny Jews the entrance on Shabbat ? No one would even think of such an absurd idea.

If the Germans are so picky, they should at least place some professional staff in front of their gates. Once it happened to me that Russian security guards asked me what "the hell" I want in this synagogue. As I responded to them in Hebrew in order to identify myself, they wouldn't even know what Hebrew is. This incident happened in Germany.

Before my Aliyah, I went to a different Jewish community and I had even called up before I came. As soon as I entered, the head of the community sent me an Israeli woman in order to investigate if I told the truth; that I am Jewish and speak Hebrew. The lady came and tested my Hebrew. After two sentences we were done and I was allowed in.

As I was not an official member in my former German community, I wasn't allowed to buy Pessach mazzot there. I lived in a smaller town and in order to get Pessach mazzot I would have had to travel for some hours; either to Munich, Frankfurt or to Strasbourgh (France). I was so fed up that I sent an e – mail to Chabad in Brussels and until today, I am very grateful to the Chabad Rabbi Menachem Hadad for accepting me without any stupid remarks and comments, as the Germans love to do.

Many Jews from all over the world told me that they were facing difficulties when they wanted to enter a German synagogue. German communities like to show off that they are growing and so international. However, if they really want to be that way, they have a lot to learn. Getting rid of the German mentality, speaking at least some English and having some kind of a common sense. After my experiences I am no longer in the mood of begging for entrance. If I ever travel to Germany again, I would plan my Shabbat in Antwerp (Belgium)in advance.

In January 1999, I was traveling to London and even there I just walked into a synagogue in Golders Green. Afterwards a Satmar couple invited me for lunch and they didn't ask any questions. After a short conversation my identity was clear anyway.

There is no place like Jerusalem in this world where all Jews have the opportunity of getting invited on Shabbat. At least if you are dressed modestly. And as I mentioned before, security risks exist all over the world and not only in Germany. However, I have never heard before or after such stupid and unnecessary remarks as in German synagogues.

Kristallnacht Memories

B"H

Anywhere else it does not seem to be such a big issue but in Germany it is. On November 9, 1938, the Reichkristallnacht (Night of the Broken Glass) took place in Germany.

Every year on this date, German Jews and Gentiles remember this tragic event and hold memorial services. This year, the date falls on a Friday and the mourning issue is a little more complicated. Shabbat is coming soon and on Sunday it is Rosh Chodesh Kislev.

But can there be something like a mourning period according to the calendar ? The date is such and such and I have to mourn now.

Especially Holocaust survivors suffer from their painful memories in their every day life or even every hour. Unfortunately, people do not take this too much into consideration. They rather go to the memorial services, finish and go home. See you again next year.

Leading German Jews sometimes behave ridiculous anyway. Some rabbis, community leaders and the "Central Committee of German Jewry in Germany" (Zentralrat) many times misunderstand the meaning of Jewish history and mourning. I read on a German Jewish blog that a huge memorial service is taking place in Stuttgart (southern Germany) tonight. Local politicians organized the event and simply forgot about something Jewish called "Shabbat".

However, many Jews do not seem to mind and prefer going to see it, and especially to be seen. It is a disgrace that leading German Jews prefer to be seen with high ranking politicians instead of thinking about their roots and Jewish identity.